C-Section Recovery, Week by Week

A caesarean is major surgery, and you recover from it while caring for a newborn. Most mothers feel largely themselves again around six weeks, and some take a few months to feel fully back. This is what each stage tends to look like, and what helps.

The short version

Most mothers feel largely recovered around six weeks after a C-section. Get up and walking early, hold a pillow over your wound to cough or laugh, and take your pain relief on time. Lift nothing heavier than your baby for six weeks, drive only when an emergency stop doesn't hurt, and start scar patches once the wound has fully healed. Call your doctor for a red or leaking wound, a fever, heavy bleeding, a painful swollen calf, or chest pain.

The Journal is written by mothers, for mothers. It is peer-to-peer knowledge, not medical advice. Your own doctor and midwife know your recovery best, so ask them anything.